The Lake Gun by James Fenimore Cooper
page 18 of 22 (81%)
page 18 of 22 (81%)
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trout, and eels, for a thousand winters. It was not long
after this that the lake began to speak, in a voice loud as the thunder from the clouds. The Seneca traditions say this is the Manitou calling to See-wise, when he goes down after the fish, out of season." "And do you, an educated man, believe in this tale?" asked Fuller. "I can not say. The things learned in childhood remain the longest on the memory. They make the deepest marks. I have seen the evil that a demagogue can do among the pale-faces; why should I not believe the same among my own people?" "This is well enough, as respects the curse on the demagogue; but lakes do not usually--" Fuller had got thus far, when the Seneca, as if in mockery, emitted the sound that has obtained the name of the "Lake Gun" among those who have lived on its banks in these later times. Perhaps it was, in part, the influence of the Seneca's legend, united to the opinions and statements of the inhabitants of that region, which conspired to make our traveler start, in awe and surprise; for, certainly, the deep- mouthed cannon never gave forth a more impressive and sudden concussion on the ear. "It does, indeed, sound very like a gun!" said Fuller, after a long pause had enabled him to speak. |
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